Happy Summer!

Hope everyone is having a great start to their summer.  I finally feel like mine can start!  I waited until this past Monday, June 17th to get sick.  My summer, so far, has consisted of lots of tissues and naps and a bit of reading.  Hope nobody else has gotten a summer cold.

There are two books that I want to highlight, one is for the primary students (Kindergarten through Third Grade) and the second is for the intermediate students (Fourth and Fifth Grade).

The first book is for the primary students, First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes.  It is a National Geographic Little Kids book.  Even though it says "little kids", I think that Third Grade students will benefit from the nonfiction text.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  As I was reading this book, I realized how much I didn't know about space!  I was fascinated by all the neat facts that I learned.  For example I didn't know that were five dwarf planets!  This book is broken down into five "chapters":  Looking Up From Earth, Earth's Neighborhood, Earth's Other Neighbors, Far Far Away, and Exploring Space.  There is also a map of the Solar System and  Parent Tips.  The Parent Tips include ideas for you to extend your child knowledge of space.  It also has a Glossary and an Index.  This book will be available through the Public Library, it is on order at many of the branches, which means you can put it on hold.  We will have this available for checkout in our Easy Nonfiction Section at HES next school year.

The second book is a very interesting book for intermediate students. The book is A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads.  This was a very interesting book, because of the way it is set up.  Each chapter is told from a different characters perspective.  I did have to go back and reread a bit in the beginning until I had the characters straight in my mind.  I think that I really liked this book because I love puzzles and that's what I felt this book was.  Here is a little tease about the book, cakes are very important.  The best part is:  there are many cake recipes included.  I can't wait to try a few out!  If you read the book and make a cake, didn't forget to come back and comment to let me know how you liked the book and the cake.  This book is available at the Public Library, you might need to put it on hold.  I'm hoping to have it at HES next year.

What have you read so far this summer?

Don't for get about our "Take a BOOK on Vacation" activity.  Last year we had eleven students (three from one family) and four staff members participate.  I'm hoping for more this year!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda